Devine Scripture

Matthew 24:42

What does Matthew 24:42 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 24:42 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 24:42 means

Based on the unknowable day and hour of His return, Jesus issues a direct command: "Watch therefore: for ye know not on what day your Lord cometh." This central exhortation emphasizes constant vigilance and spiritual preparedness. Since the timing is unforeseen, believers are called to live in a state of continuous readiness, as if Christ could return at any moment. This watching involves both spiritual alertness and diligent service, not merely passive expectation, awaiting His glorious appearance at His appointed time.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

Watch therefore: for ye know not on what day your Lord cometh.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

Watch therefore: for ye know not on what day your Lord cometh.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Be watching, then! for you have no knowledge on what day your Lord will come.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

`Watch ye therefore, because ye have not known in what hour your Lord doth come;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Watch ye therefore, because you know not what hour your Lord will come.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

Watch therefore, for ye know not in what hour your Lord comes.

Context

This verse serves as a crucial call to action, drawing a direct conclusion from the preceding illustrations of sudden, unexpected separation. It introduces the foundational command to 'watch,' emphasizing the absolute necessity of preparedness due to the unknowable timing of the Lord's return, setting up the subsequent parable of the thief as a further urgent warning.

v.41two women shall be grinding at the mill; one is taken, and one is left.

v.42This passage

v.43But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what watch the thief was coming, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken through.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • 1 Peter 4:7

    But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore of sound mind, and be sober unto prayer:

  • Matthew 25:13

    Watch therefore, for ye know not the day nor the hour.

  • Luke 21:36

    But watch ye at every season, making supplication, that ye may prevail to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.

  • Romans 13:11

    And this, knowing the season, that already it is time for you to awake out of sleep: for now is salvation nearer to us than when wefirstbelieved.

  • Mark 13:33

    Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.

  • Matthew 26:38

    Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: abide ye here, and watch with me.

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